Oaks was a member of the men's soccer team from 1947-1950 and served as team captain in 1950. He continued his involvement with the College and Lafayette athletics following his days as a student-athlete. He served as an Alumni Trustee from 1996-01, was the President of the Alumni Association (1994-96) and served on the Athletics and Student Affairs Committee (1996-99). He also completed a two-year stint as the President of the Maroon Club.

The list of Oaks' awards and accolades is a lengthy one with perhaps the most notable being the Lafayette Medal for Distinguished Service, the College's highest honor, which he received in 2001. He received the Danny Hatch Sports Award in 1983 as well as the George T. Woodring Alumni Association Service and Volunteer of the Year Award in 1997.

He remains a constant presence at Lafayette soccer matches and numerous other Lafayette events. In 2005, the soccer venue was named in his honor: Bourger Field at Oaks Stadium.

Oaks and his wife, Mary Ann, have three daughters, all of whom graduated from Lafayette and were members of both the field hockey and lacrosse teams. Susan '78 was a two-year captain of both the field hockey and lacrosse teams and was the recipient of the Charles L. Albert Award as a senior. Cynthia '80 won the Division II lacrosse championship in 1980 and received the Class of 1913 scholar-athlete award. Sally Lou '84 also joined her sisters as a member of the field hockey and lacrosse squads. Oaks and Mary Ann also have two granddaughters.

Lafayette Athletics, as a partner in the mission of the College, provides an incredibly effective learning experience for student-athletes through competitive NCAA Division I athletics. Lafayette sponsors 23 varsity sports with more than 600 student-athletes.